Brainstorming:  How to Create More Ideas and Better Ideas

April 28, 2022e2022

On Thursday, April 28 the HCD Community of Practice explored brainstorming. A brainstorming session likely comes to mind when tasked with generating ideas to solve a problem or dream up an innovative solution. But does it work?

Quick answer: Yes. But if facilitated poorly or approached with a rigid perspective, it may lead to groupthink or an environment where good ideas go to die—the opposite of what you set out to accomplish.

Whether facilitating or participating in a brainstorming session, you will succeed by approaching the process with a creative mindset and embracing best practices. So, what does success look like? More and better ideas!

The session included:

• A definition of brainstorming
• How to protect and nurture ideas
• Virtual brainstorming warm-up exercises
• Brainstorming best practices

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Session Speaker

Scott Reed  – Senior Design Strategist, HCD CoE and adjunct faculty at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).